About Kelim

Every Person Is Uniquely Woven.

At Kelim, we believe that every person is a uniquely crafted piece of art — intricately woven, beautifully formed and completely individual.

Like a precious handmade carpet, every person has their own pattern, their own colours, their own texture and their own story.

No two people are woven in exactly the same way.

But sometimes, life damages the weave.

Pain, trauma, loss, addiction, poor choices, broken relationships and difficult circumstances can leave a person stained, worn, torn or pushed aside.

Sometimes behaviour becomes destructive and causes damage.

But a person is not their behaviour.

Your mistakes are not your identity. Your addiction is not who you are. The value was never lost.

When a beautiful woven carpet becomes dirty, stained or damaged, we recognise that it may simply need care. It may need to be cleaned, repaired, restored and carefully repositioned so that its beauty can once again be seen and appreciated.

At Kelim we don't see a nothing. We see a person of value who needs restoration and an opportunity to prosper again.

Through a safe and supportive environment, structured recovery, therapeutic development, emotional wellness, life skills, accountability and preparation for independent living, Kelim helps residents begin addressing the areas of their lives that have become damaged or unhealthy.

Recovery is not about erasing someone's past or pretending the damage never happened. It is about learning from the story, repairing what can be repaired, accepting what cannot be changed, and beginning to weave a different future.

Our people

Kelim House Management

Lynelle Smith

Co-Founder & Executive Manager

BA Hons (Psych), PGDip Hyp (UK), ICF

Psychometrist | Practice Number: 0538264 | HPCSA PMT 0090310

With more than 25 years of experience in Psychology, Personal Development, Coaching and Organisational Development, Lynelle combines professional expertise with her own journey through significant loss and recovery.

Kelim is the fulfilment of a deep calling to help people recover, grow and emerge stronger after life's derailments, supporting residents towards healing, mental wellness and a meaningful new life.

Lynelle holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy from the UK and spent two years working alongside renowned specialists at the London Medical Centre in Harley Street. She brings this specialist expertise to Kelim, incorporating Clinical Hypnotherapy, where appropriate, to help residents overcome addictive patterns, reduce cravings and strengthen long-term recovery.

Sasha Babulj

Recovery Manager

Sasha is a highly respected Recovery Manager with many years of experience managing recovery facilities across Johannesburg and an excellent reputation for his caring, professional approach.

At Kelim Recovery, he provides the structure, discipline and emotional support residents need, while overseeing meals, medication dispensing, recovery programmes and the day-to-day running of the facility.

His firm yet compassionate approach helps residents feel supported, accountable and equipped to build a stable life in recovery.

Caryn Coetzer

Recovery Counsellor

Advanced Addiction Counsellor Certificate (ACCSA)

With 24 years of experience in the recovery industry and six years in counselling, Caryn brings a deep understanding of addiction and the recovery journey.

Her personal understanding of addiction enables her to connect with residents with empathy, compassion and without judgement, supporting them towards sobriety, renewed relationships and successful reintegration into society.

She also supports families, recognising that lasting recovery extends beyond the individual to the people who walk the journey alongside them.

Ferdie Pretorius

Co-Founder

For the last 10 years, Ferdie served at a mission station just outside Secunda, where he helped care for orphaned children and children whose parents were unable to provide for them.

Even after the mission station closed, he continues to support some of the families he came to know during those years.

Driven by his love for the Lord and a deep concern for the wellbeing of others, Ferdie now sees supporting people in recovery as a meaningful part of his life, offering residents compassion, respect, hope and encouragement as they work towards healing, restoration and a renewed life.

In their words

Reflections From Those We've Walked With

As someone who has struggled with addiction and alcoholism, I have been to countless institutions. However very few left a mark on me as much as the facility I was at when Sasha was my house manager. He provided me with care and support like no other.
Sasha also has a profound knowledge of recovery and the big book, where he took many of us through the steps. Sasha for me, represented what the 12th step means: to carry the message to the alcoholic or addict who still suffers.

ShaneOn Sasha Babulj, House Manager

Kelim gave me a safe place to land when I had nowhere else to go after rehab. The structure and the people here helped me understand myself and start rebuilding, one day at a time.
I learnt that recovery is not just about staying away from substances — it is about learning to live again, to take responsibility and to believe there is something worth working towards.

DanielFormer resident

Begin Weaving a Different Future.

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